The annual state budget-making process isn’t always easy to watch. The nature of budgeting is that someone’s ox is getting gored.
But the diversity in interests can lead to a final product that is prudent with taxpayer dollars and that also makes investments for the future for budget items like K-12 and higher education.
It looks like the Legislature and Gov. Ducey are on the verge of adopting a Fiscal Year 2017 budget that could strike that desired balance.
This budget package is looking good for education.
The 2016 budget started out with good intentions, but unfortunately led to cuts to our better schools. But the budget making its way through the legislative process today puts those cuts on ice for one year while we figure out a way to fix our dated funding formula without divesting from what works.
With a special election on education funding right around the corner, legislators and Gov. Ducey can send a clear message: there will be no cuts to education in this budget.
The Legislature and governor put in a lot of work to get Proposition 123 on the ballot. Wrapping up the 2017 budget in a nice bow that is good for schools and universities would give us all a spending deal we could be satisfied with, and it would adjourn the legislative session with time to focus on ensuring Proposition 123’s passage.
